The Property Couch 574 | The #1 Reason You Won’t Retire Comfortably Has Nothing to Do with Your Income
Nov 27, 2025
The hosts explore the critical habit of financial management, emphasizing that wealth comes from surplus, not just income. They dive into common money mistakes, the pitfalls of static budgets, and the dangers of unconscious spending. The virtues of tracking expenses and setting meaningful goals are discussed, along with an exciting announcement about an AI-powered transaction feed to aid money management. Listeners are encouraged to take control of their finances before the new year to avoid pitfalls and achieve financial clarity.
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Surplus, Not Salary, Builds Wealth
- Wealth is created by trapping surplus, not by high income alone.
- Tracking spending gives feedback that lets you shift behaviour and build wealth.
Start Tracking With A Simple Target
- Do track your spending regularly to get accurate feedback and change habits.
- Start with a simple goal like saving 20% or contributing to existing investments.
Don’t Use Your Brain As A Budget
- Avoid keeping budgets only in your head; externalise numbers into a system.
- Stop using static spreadsheets as your sole tracking method—they miss irregular expenses.
